A hernia is generally defined as the displacement or protrusion of an organ through a hole or into a cavity.? There are two types of hernias related to acid reflux – Sliding Hiatal Hernia and Para-Esophageal Hiatal Hernia.

Sliding Hiatal Hernia

Sliding Hiatal Hernias are the most common.? They occur when the muscle at the junction between the esophagus and the stomach – the lower esophageal sphincter – becomes too relaxed.? This allows the diaphragm to become displaced and a portion of the stomach to pass into the lower esophagus.

Roughly half of people with a Sliding Hiatal Hernia don’t suffer symptoms.? If symptoms do occur they are identical to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, and can include heartburn, acid reflux, regurgitation and frequent belching and hiccups.

Treatments can include over the counter antacids or prescription drugs; a change in diet that involves eating smaller, more frequent meals, or eliminates foods like citrus, alcohol, caffeine, garlic, mint, or any other foods that would cause heartburn; quitting smoking; eliminating tight clothing which can cause pressure on the stomach resulting in reflux; and taking care not to lie down too quickly after eating.? If symptoms are severe, surgery may be necessary and would involve pulling the stomach down and tightening the opening to the stomach, which would prevent recurrence.

Para-Esophageal Hiatal Hernia

Para-Esophageal Hiatal Hernias are slightly more severe than Sliding Hiatal Hernias.? They occur when a portion of the stomach becomes displaced and ends up next to the esophagus.? This condition can be problematic as a result of complications associated with it.? Strangulation can occur when blood can’t get to the affected area, resulting in tissue death.? It can also put pressure on the esophagus, causing food to lodge there after swallowing.? Ulcers can also form from damage caused by food stuck in the esophagus or stomach acid.

Most Para-Esophageal Hiatal Hernia’s aren’t symptomatic, but if there are, symptoms can include nausea, chest pain and pressure, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and trouble swallowing.

The complications due to an untreated hernia can become severe, so early surgical intervention is the most successful treatment for Para-Esophageal Hiatal Hernia.

Diagnosing Hiatal Hernia

A doctor can diagnose a Hiatal Hernia many ways; however a few tests are used regularly.? An upright chest x-ray can be performed.? This would reveal any obvious abnormalities to the esophagus and stomach.? A barium x-ray involves digesting barium, a thick solution that is visible under x-rays.? Or, an upper endoscopy could also be performed, which involves a physician inserting a lighted tube to search for problems in the esophagus and upper stomach.

There are many natural cures for heartburn. This is great news because a lot of people suffer from this painful burning caused by stomach acid entering the esophagus. Stomach acid often enters the esophagus but it usually goes unnoticed because our bodies naturally swallow saliva throughout the day which washes the acid back into the stomach without any pain. When too much acid is coming up and it causes pain, it is necessary to take action starting with looking into natural cures for heartburn.

Conventional and somewhat unconventional methods alike often include basic items around the house. One of the most commonly recommended remedies is drinking a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water before a meal to prevent the onset of the painful condition. This remedy has proven effective in preventing an occurrence; however this must be done prior to eating for it to be effective.? Another way to stop heartburn before it starts is papaya.? It contains an enzyme that helps speed the digestive process and prevents pressure from building in the stomach.The specific types of food that typically trigger heartburn attacks vary from person to person. Foods like alcohol, garlic, onion, citrus and caffeine are common triggers.? It is important to take note of any patterns in your diet in relation to heartburn attacks so that you can be aware of what causes it for you.

If preventative measures are not taken or are not effective, there are a few natural cures for heartburn that are known to relieve the pain of acid refluxafter it has already hit. These include eating an assortment of foods that contain a special acid that counter the pain a little differently than the prevention methods will. For example, apples are effective acid neutralizers.? Also, ginger helps settle an upset stomach, and can help where heartburn is concerned as well.? Drinking some chamomile tea can also help bring relief from heart burn pain.? Even something as simple as drinking a glass of water can be just the boost your body needs to flush unwanted acids through the system.

Other remedies that may prove effective include lying with your head in an elevated position if you are experiencing heartburn. This helps keep your head properly aligned over your stomach and prevents acids from creeping into the esophagus.? Also, eating smaller meals prevents large amounts of food from backing up in your stomach causing uncomfortable pressure to build.? To give your stomach a head start, just don’t eat less than 2 hours before going to bed.? That gives your body time to properly digest everything and prevents acids and foods from getting into the esophagus when you lie down.

There are numerous options when it comes to natural cures for heartburn that should be looked at. It is not a one size fits all solution and you should try several different remedies or a combination of solutions until you find the one that works best for you and gives you the best results.

For more on natural cures for acid reflux, please visit www.refluxremedy.com.? The Reflux Remedy Report found there is full of natural remedies that you can try today.

What in the world could gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acidophilus bacteria have to do with each other?

Truth is acidophilus bacteria and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has a lot to do with each other and that’s what this article is all about.

First off I have to mention one of my favorite two-time Nobel Prize winners, Linus Pauling. Linus Pauling is one of those unsung heroes few people are aware of that helped make our world a better place.

He strongly believed that all degenerative diseases could be linked back to a mineral deficiency.

Now you might ask yourself, “What do mineral deficiencies have to do with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acidophilus?”

In the course of tracking down the root cause of gastroesophageal disease (GERD) I found an interesting, yet hidden connection, between minerals, healthy flora and the cause of gastroesophageal acid reflux diseases (GERD).

You see a healthy flora is necessary for a healthy gut and the gut, or gastro intestinal tract, is the core of all life and vitality.

Of course with a holistic view point, everything is ultimately interconnected, yet the gut is essentially the place where all nutrition is extracted from the foods we eat and then delivered to each of your 50 trillion cells in order to sustain life.

Truth is healthy flora, like acidophilus, cannot thrive in an acid pH environment very long. Your gut is where food goes after your stomach acid has broken it down into small food molecules. It is in the gut where acidophilus and other beneficial microorganisms thrive to help break your food down into even smaller molecules, like vitamins, minerals and their many co-factors.

According to leading doctors and researchers on the subject, if you suffer from even the beginning stages of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), like heartburn and acid reflux, the worst thing you can do is start popping antacids.

First off, you may not really be suffering from producing too much acid, secondly antacids were proven many years ago to have absolutely no medical benefit and in fact often increase symptoms of heartburn, acid indigestion and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

So instead of taking harmful GERD causing antacids, try taking a supplement of live-cultured acidophilus instead. Many GERD suffers experience almost instant relief of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), plus they’re essentially addressing the “root cause” of their acid reflux problems, whether from over, or under production of stomach acid.

Neutralizing stomach acid in either case can be a serious mistake on you or your doctor’s part. Make sure you don’t end up taking any drug that covers symptoms for any extended period of time and if you are, ask your doctor to work with you to get you free of the drugs, symptoms and root cause of GERD.

Finding the right mineral rich diet combined with a good probiotic blend of acidophilus and a healthy active lifestyle are they master keys to naturally eliminating the root cause of your gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) concerns.

You were born to heal,

Todd M. Faass?

Health Ecologist

Acid reflux – a condition where stomach acid backs up into the esophagus – is a growing problem.? With the number of acid reflux sufferers on the rise, many people are searching for a more natural solution to frequent heartburn.? Taking medication every day for the rest of their lives is not appealing to some, so here are some things that may help relieve frequent heartburn in a more holistic way.

Chewing gum encourages you to swallow.? The excess saliva in your stomach acts as water flushing things through your system, not allowing pressure to build and backups to occur.

Apple cider vinegar can be used during a heartburn attack or to help prevent one.? If heartburn has already settled in, try 2 to 3 tablespoons of undiluted apple cider vinegar.? Or dilute the same amount in warm water about 20 minutes before eating to help prevent the onset of heartburn.

Aloe Vera juice may also help.? It has been widely used in Europe for years as an agent that soothes heartburn.? Try drinking about a quarter of a cup before meals to prevent reflux.? However, use caution.? If you own an aloe plant, do not consume the gel inside the leaves.? They contain a powerful laxative.? Only buy Aloe Vera juice, meant for drinking.

Ginger is a powerful digestive aid that’s been used for centuries to settle an upset stomach.? It can help with everything from sea sickness to heartburn.? In pill form, 1 to 2 pills taken 20 minutes before eating may help.? You can also consume it in tea or candied form if you prefer.

An amino acid called glutamine may also help in the long term.? It promotes healing and disposes of damaged cells in the esophagus, helping repair damage and prevent further episodes of reflux.

Chamomile or fennel tea has also been found to help soothe heartburn.? However, to be effective it should be sipped at a warm temperature, not drank too quickly when very hot.

Papaya enzymes may help some people, however those with latex allergies should use caution as a similar reaction has happened in a few people.? Papaya contains digestive enzymes that help break down food.

The natural oils found in almonds have also been found to help relieve symptoms of acid reflux.? Try a handful after meals, chewed completely, to help soothe heartburn.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away!? Some people have found with just a few slices of apple heartburn symptoms can be alleviated.

Unflavored yogurt contains helpful bacteria that have been shown to tighten stomach walls, preventing acid from getting where it doesn’t belong.

If all else fails, drink a glass of water.? The liquid will help dilute the stomach contents and flush irritants through the system.

For more natural remedies, read our Reflux Remedy Report.